title: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and their effects on the cardiovascular system.
abstract: It is well known that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Elevated plasma glucose levels that independently lead to increased cardiovascular risk, combined with associated co-morbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, further contribute to the development of CV complications. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors) are a relatively new class of drugs used for the treatment of diabetes and recently have been widely used in clinical practice. They exert their actions through degradation inhibition of endogenous glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptides (GIP), with a resulting increase in glucose mediated insulin secretion and a suppression of glucagon secretion. Since GLP-1 is known to have an impact not only on plasma glucose levels but also to have cardiovascular protective effects there is increased speculation of whether DPP-4 inhibitors will have similar effects. Though many short-term studies have been encouraging, ongoing long-term clinical trials on humans are needed to provide further clarity to the complete safety profiles of these agents in terms of cardiovascular risk, and whether they may exert potential cardiovascular benefit. This review includes available data on the cardiovascular effects of DPP-4 inhibitors as well as their overall safety profile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine D and Multidisciplinary Obesity Clinic, Rabin Medical Center, Hasharon Hospital, 7 Keren Kayemet St., Petah Tikva, Israel, 49100. bsolun@gmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Solun
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marcoviciu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dicker
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents